A new campaign among DC fans for #ReleaseBatgirl movie sees massive support as news emerged the Leslie Grace starring Batgirl, a $70 million DC project (which reached approx. $90M by the end of production) made for HBO Max reportedly won’t see the light on the streaming service or in theatres worldwide, a decision by the new leadership at Warner Bros. Discovery. The project’s cancellation has sent shockwaves across Hollywood due to the unprecedented decision.
Several trade outlets have confirmed the NY Post’s report on Batgirl’s cancellation. In addition, the latter’s story also states the DC film did poorly during its test screenings. Moreover, Variety claims “taxes” as the major reason behind the shelving. It was earlier reported WBD’s new head David Zaslav’s idea of overhauling the DC film brand also included limiting the HBO Max project’s budget to $35M or less, which also led to Wonder Twins‘ cancellation.
Many initially thought Batgirl would receive a theatrical release though as Deadline indicates – WBD’s current plans are for big budget $90M plus movies and unfortunately, the early footage from Batgirl did not convince the execs it fell in this category. The tragic news has left many distraught though it also led to a growing campaign with #ReleasetheBatgirlMovie on Twitter. Readers can see some of the reactions below.
Rip Batgirl!🙏😭
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) August 2, 2022
The plan? Spend $90 million on a movie and never release it, ensuring audience interest remains high forever pic.twitter.com/2REVvgsyB9
— Vinnie Mancuso (@VinnieMancuso1) August 2, 2022
See, THIS is when a hashtag campaign makes sense. #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie
— BSL 🔜 #TIFF22 🧩 (@bigscreenleaks) August 2, 2022
Just read the BATGIRL plot and while simple, it sounds super faithful to the comics. Shame we won’t see it. Adil, Billah and Leslie deserved better.
— BSL 🔜 #TIFF22 🧩 (@bigscreenleaks) August 2, 2022
WB: let’s scrap the Batgirl film with a promising young star, Michael Keaton Batman, & Brendan Fraiser as the villain but make absolutely no changes to a Flash film where are star is currently hiding from the police https://t.co/qFNmcPlmcj
— Nicholas (@NicholasJLevi) August 2, 2022
Leslie Grace was incredible in IN THE HEIGHTS. BATGIRL was supposed to be her chance to become a bonafide movie star. WB is taking that away from us. And I will not stand for it. #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie pic.twitter.com/gaGNAdJh7E
— Ezra Cubero (@EzraCubero) August 2, 2022
Folks who are like “Batgirl was shelved because it was bad” acting as if that has ever stopped WB from releasing something before, lol.
— Richard Newby (@RICHARDLNEWBY) August 2, 2022
I am going to lose my shit if #WarnerBros also cancels #BlueBeetle after scrapping #Batgirl —- ugh my stomach is just crumbling thinking about getting that loss too 😭 #BlueBeetleMovie #SaveBatgirl #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie #ReleaseBatgirl pic.twitter.com/F675Ef1NMo
— Andy Behbakht (@AndyBehbakht) August 2, 2022
Insanely disrespectful to everyone involved with Batgirl to not at least release it on HBO Max. https://t.co/zY6oLuA6Y0
— Jack McBryan (@McBDirect) August 2, 2022
$90Mill spent.
A fantastic cast.
A Returning Michael Keaton as Batman.
Directors who just killed it on Ms Marvel.
Virtually completed.
A character who deserves screen-justice more than many.
Do the right thing, respect their work, and…#ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie pic.twitter.com/qgcEN89pKv
— Kevin Schultz (@reallive_kevbot) August 2, 2022
A movie featuring a Latina Batgirl, a trans character & actress, Brendan Fraser’s comeback & Michael Keaton has been cancelled.. just wow.
Congratulations David Zaslav, you officially killed the DC Extended Universe. #RELEASETHEBATGIRLMOVIE
— Black Canary Updates (@BIackCanaryFilm) August 2, 2022
If you were a “champion for director freedom” with the Snyder Cut but are now happy that WB is canceling Batgirl you gotta be the biggest hypocrite on the planet
— troyoboyo17 is in mourning over Scoob 2 (@troyoboyo17) August 2, 2022
Protect our boy at all costs #releasethebatgirlmovie pic.twitter.com/rP5ACqnLsx
— Invincible&Blue Beetle for MultiVersus (@Invincible4MvS) August 2, 2022
If you think WBD dropping Batgirl or any other DC movie means there's hope for the Sn*derverse being restored … you should take these moves from the new brass as a very bad sign.
— Jim Vejvoda (@JimVejvoda) August 2, 2022
Leslie was literally excited to play Batgirl
She deserves soo much better
😭😭😭🥺🥺😩😩💔💔💔💔#Batgirl #SaveBatGirl #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie pic.twitter.com/tGzRNUbDZt— Anthony S (@StraderZane) August 2, 2022
DON'T YOU GET IT?!
They don't need an #HBOMax movie
IF THERE IS NO HBO MAX! 🤯🤯🤯(at least not as we knew it)
Working on my #Batgirl video now…
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) August 2, 2022
This is some straight BS. The cast, crew and everyone behind the project doesn’t deserve this.#ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie pic.twitter.com/Tk3irfCYZr
— tiff🦇 (@twizzlytee) August 2, 2022
#Batgirl cancelled but this trash lives on 🤡#ReleaseBatgirl #SaveBatgirl#ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie pic.twitter.com/YJp5aN5RwS
— Jay Entertainment 🇮🇳 (@RangassamyJ) August 2, 2022
Leslie Grace, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Michael Keaton, Brendan Fraser, Ivory Aquino, Jacob Scipio and the entire BATGIRL Crew did not deserve this.
Their hard work deserves to be seen 🦇#ReleaseBatgirl
— Batgirl Film News 🦇 (@BatgirlFilm) August 2, 2022
This is appalling, and it's what happens when the people who run a media company crawl so far up their own hindquarters about "strategy" that they forget that actual humans put time and effort into making a movie. https://t.co/NJw09XbQ3N
— Mark Harris (@MarkHarrisNYC) August 2, 2022
So, it looks like Batgirl is not happening, huh?
Really disrespectful to the cast and crew. #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie
— Z (@AMagicWriter) August 2, 2022
If the rumors about Batgirl’s cancelled release are true, there is absolutely no excuse for that.
Leslie Grace deserves better. Brendan Fraser deserves better. Michael Keaton deserves better. The fans deserve better.
Batgirl deserves better! pic.twitter.com/9YL8xtyXrN
— Michael Patterson (@michaelp93) August 2, 2022
If #Batgirl is indeed shelved at WBD, as both The Wrap and NY Post are reporting, it’s absolutely shocking!
For a studio to throw out a $90-million dollar movie because it no longer fits the studio’s DC vision, it’s pretty unprecedented.
If true, I expect more films to join.
— Sheraz Farooqi (@SherazFarooqi_) August 2, 2022
WBD is going to be the biggest laughing stock in Hollywood. They are stupid. Zaslav and his execs are making stupid decisions. Wtf. #ReleaseTheBatgirlMovie https://t.co/N38S5umLwR
— ✨kylem✨ (@dcstan07) August 2, 2022
Rock got booed at SDCC, Super Pets underperformed, Ben Affleck came back as Batman and now Batgirl got cancelled. All this happened in last 10 days.
— Armughan Ahmad (@armughan03) August 2, 2022
Batgirl’s cancellation has DC fans alarmed if WBD could also shelve Blue Beetle while some are hoping The Flash movie lands the same treatment due to Ezra Miller’s controversial antics. However, some insiders have also pointed out the possibility of the studio clashing with creatives over contractual obligations.
Michael Keaton’s Batman has also shot sequences for Batgirl which would have been his second appearance in the DCEU after The Flash. The feature was set to introduce new faces from the DC lore such as Brendan Fraser as Firefly. Also, set photos revealed connections to the Snyderverse as well with even J.K. Simmons’ Commissioner Gordon reprising his role from 2017’s Justice League though it’s unclear what the new leadership has planned for the earlier vision set forth by Zack Snyder.
Batgirl was directed by Ms. Marvel helmers Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from a script penned by Christina Hodson.
